Word: speech
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Dates: during 1880-1880
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...study recognized as at least equal to the labors of students of the classics. We cannot help thinking that it is a grave mistake not to give to the English language and literature a foremost place in our curriculum, - not to encourage a faithful critical investigation of the common speech of two great Saxon nations. That speech is surely as worthy of attention as is Hebrew or Sanskrit; and its demands need not even interfere with the one end and aim of life, - a thorough knowledge of the noble dialect of Athens...
...occasion; while one or two of the speakers indulged in what would have been inappropriate at any time or in any place. There was also a tendency to levity, a tendency which should be checked, both because it seems to be growing in the Union, and because in a speech on a serious subject, wit and humor should not be the main elements. The audience, however, was good-natured, and readily over-looked all shortcomings. Colonel Higginson's presence and remarks showed the interest he takes in the Union. The experiment of allowing all who so wished, both ladies...
...most difficult part of the subject, and is apt to discourage beginners. Again, it is important to "have loved and lost." This is a comparatively easy matter. Another important point is the use of figurative language. To their reluctance to use more than one or two figures of speech in the same line may be attributed the bare, prosaic nature of the English poets, - notably Shakspeare and Tennyson. The celebrated phrase "To take arms against a sea of troubles," which some have ignorantly criticised, is still far below the Harvard standard. A Harvard poet would have written, "To gather arms...
Passing by the cages of foreign birds, French, Italian, German, and Chinese, - for the most part mocking-birds, - we next see the procession of mediaeval knights, mounted on hobby-horses. Each rider recited his particular speech over and over again, and paid no attention to what any one else said. An aged knight, tastefully dressed in the garb of a scholastic philosopher, led the van. By a happy arrangement of the managers, a corps of Freshmen on ponies appropriately followed at a short interval...
...pardon for my unintentional intrusion, and beat a hasty retreat; but, upon perceiving my intention, the maiden, somewhat to my surprise, remarked, with more amiability than grammatical accuracy, "Wal, you ain't a-going, are you? Do I look dangerous?" Here was a nice opening for a pretty speech; but as I did not think it quite good taste to make a pretty speech upon such short acquaintance, I merely remarked, "No, you don't "(for she certainly did not), and, throwing down my rod and basket, seated myself on the grass at her feet. After a rather painful silence...